Public school rally in Indianapolis

Indiana public school advocates staged a rally Tuesday afternoon at the Statehouse. Students and teachers were in attendance to support groups that oppose Indiana's voucher program and other recent education changes.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com John Stoffel, a teacher at Huntington County Schools, spoke Tuesday at a rally to protect public education and oppose vouchers.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Doris Porter, left, and Erma Lardydell — both parents from Gary — watched a rally for public education Tuesday from a third floor Statehouse balcony.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Michelle Smith, who directs a refugee organization in Indianapolis, holds a sign she made to protest a bill that would expand a private school voucher program.$RETURN$$RETURN$

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, spoke at a rally Tuesday for public schools. He said the General Assembly needs to do more to support public education and stop sending to private schools.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Hundreds of educators and parents showed up at the Statehouse on Tuesday for a rally for public education and against a private school voucher program.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Hundreds of parents and educators came to the Statehouse on Tuesday to rally for public schools and against legislation to expand the state’s voucher program.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Many of those who came to a public education rally at the Statehouse brought signs to protest a bill expand the state's private school voucher program.$RETURN$$RETURN$

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Julie Hollingsworth, the secretary of the Fort Wayne Schools Board, spoke at an education rally on Tuesday at the Statehouse, saying that the voucher program has hurt the district. She said students are leaving highly-rated public schools for poorly rated private schools using vouchers.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Former state Sens. Kathy Smith, left, and Connie Sipes — Democrats who also served as educators — attended a rally Tuesday at the Statehouse to support public schools and oppose private school vouchers.

Lesley Weidenbener / TheStatehouseFile.com Sixth grader Kaylee Dollar of Raymond Park Intermediate Academy of Indianapolis holds up a sign Tuesday during a rally at the Statehouse for public education. She was one of only a few students who attended the rally.